Classifier / Measure Word
What kind of unit are we counting?
含义
A word or marker used with numbers or quantity to classify the noun by shape, type, animacy, function, or measurement unit.
如何识别
Notice whether numbers require an extra word before the noun.
示例
piece|cup|sheet|person|classifier
three cups of water|one piece of paper
I bought three cups of coffee.
Visual guide
counting a noun: number -> unit/class -> noun 3 -> cups -> coffee 1 -> piece -> paper classifier answers: "count as what kind/unit?"
Counting patterns: A) 3 books number + noun B) 3 CL book number + class + noun C) 3 cups of water number + measure + of + noun Ask: required? which class?
语言视角
在母语中
Classifiers are a core Mandarin coding device with numbers, demonstratives, and many quantity expressions.
那三个人是谁？
nà sān ge rén shì shéi = those three CL people are who?
在目标语言中
Classifiers/counters such as জন,টা,খানা are common with numerals and definiteness.
দুইজন ছাত্র এসেছে।
Two students have come.
Learners may omit classifiers or choose a classifier that sounds unnatural.
Same block, different coding
Both languages use this block strongly, but they signal it differently. Focus on form changes, not only meaning.